First Drive: Porsche Cayman S

Porsche Cayman S

There was always a feeling Porsche held back the Cayman a little to protect its iconic big brother, the 911.

Not anymore. Well, at least not by as much as it has been, because the all-new 981-series Cayman is more brilliant than its ever been. And that means it inches ever closer to be the 911’s equal when it comes to blending mind-bending dynamics with Teutonic levels of luxury and quality.

It doesn’t take long to come to that conclusion following our first taste of the new Cayman on the challenging Portimao Circuit in southern Portugal, where we test drove the car for the first time. In fully-loaded Cayman S specification, fitted with the optional PDK transmission and Sport Chrono package, it’s hard to pick a more accessible, fluid, fast and yet supremely comfortable sportscar on the planet ... the 911 included.

The Cayman’s mid-engined layout might rob it of two rear seats (which are near useless and hardly used in most 2+2 coupes anyway), but it does provide it with a higher degree of precision and a sweeter overall balance than the 911.

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The larger footprint from its longer wheelbase and wider tracks not only makes the Cayman feel more stable at high speeds, it also feels sharper under high-load cornering and more progressive when reaching the limits of adhesion.

The adoption of electric power steering was a contentious issue when first introduced on the 911, but it’s not with the Cayman. It certainly doesn’t detract from the cars’ ability to pin point its position on the road with razor-sharp accuracy and fluidly change direction with an almost telepathic poise and balance.

While it’s extraordinary on the race track, even if you never take to a circuit its handling strengths are still easily accessible on the road, as, unlike most sportscars, its delicately balanced chassis is evident even at pedestrian speeds.

What makes it even better though is the Cayman doesn’t have a bone-jarring ride to achieve its level of handling. It’s almost the opposite, particularly when fitted with the multi-stage adaptive dampers. In its standard setting, the suspension sublimely soaks up any road imperfections and while the Sport mode adds a degree of sharpness in the way bumps are handled it doesn’t crash through the body at all.

While the Cayman’s dynamics are its trump card, the 3.4-litre engine is an absolute pearler and perfectly matched to the car. Although its peak power outputs are achieved at sky-high engine speeds, it pulls smoothly from the depths of the rev range all the way to its 7800rpm ceiling. With the engine perched just behind your ears, there’s a throaty induction growl as it picks up speed which then transforms into a beautiful - and addictive - free-spinning wail from 6000rpm onwards.

It’s even better when fitted with the optional sports exhaust that heightens the induction note, but then adds a glorious crackle when you lift off the accelerator.

The six-speed manual is one of the best in the business with the kind of mechanical feedback that makes you feel like your hand is directly connected to the gears, and anyone will feel like a race driver with the automatic rev matching system that’s part of the Sports Chrono package. But there’s no denying the PDK is the faster and more user-friendly option that’s both silky smooth around town as a self-shifter and changes cogs with a rapid-fire action but one that doesn’t jolt you in the back.

After testing its limits on the track, there’s a noticeable change of pace when we hit the twisty open roads around the Algarve region. And, with that, it provides more time to appreciate the significant lift in quality in the Cayman’s cabin. The now Porsche trademark cascading centre console provides a cocooned environment for both passengers and, with plenty of chrome highlights and the optional leather dash top, it look and feels a much classier to place to spend time in.

Gripes? There’s not much to dislike about the Cayman really. If anything, there’s a noticeable degree of exhaust boom and rear tyre noise bellowing from the rear section at highway speeds, but other than that it’s hard to fault.

It’s two-seater layout pretty much restricts it to being a playtoy and the $150k starting price for the S is a lot of coin for something so selfish. Then, if you want to experience the Cayman at its absolute best you’d have to fork out a few sheckels more and, at the very least, add the PDK gearbox and Sport Chrono Package from the pricey list of options.

Even so, a well-specced Cayman S is still at least $50k cheaper than a basic 911 Carrera. And, not just because it’s better value, the third-gen Cayman again raises the question; is is better than a 911? The answer will depend on what floats your boat the most; the 911’s heritage, status and marginally quicker acceleration, or the Cayman’s sweeter, better-balanced driving dynamics.

It is a better driver’s car, no doubt, which automatically elevates it into a stratosphere occupied by cars that cost more than three times as much. But if you do find yourself faced with the dilemma of choosing between the pair of Porsches, you won’t lose either way.

55 comments so far

Having driven the 981 Boxster recently I can't wait to try this new Cayman. These things are just brilliant drivers cars. Porsche continues to delivery improvements on perfection time and time again...

Commenter

Euro

Location

Sydney

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 10:07AM

Somehow the back end always looks a bit weird - I think the Boxster always looks better, other than it, it'll have to be straight 911.

But I reckon that's what Cayman is for, as a fill-gap between the Boxster and 911...

Commenter

Ryan

Location

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 10:33AM

The Cayman is a nice car. In fact I think it's the best looking car on the road. Definitely has presence.

But there is a huge problem.

The US MSRP for the Cayman S is $63,800 USD.

In most of the world, the Cayman competes against cars like the Nissan 370Z, Audi TTS, Mercedes SLK, etc.

Porsche AG, I'm a single 32yo professional and I have a budget of $110k AUD for a new car. Your ridiculous Australian pricing means you won't be getting any sale from me. It's time to rethink your strategy of pricing your cars out of reach of 99% of the australian population is really the profit-maximimising position you think it is.

Price it at say $85k and I'll be at the nearest Porsche dealership this lunch time ready to make a bank transfer.

Of course, if the government allowed parallel imports, Porsche's monopoly pricing wouldn't be such an issue. But as it stands, we can only take pity on the Australian porsche dealerships and their pitiful volumes. Porsche Germany does not want its sports cars to have any presence on Australian roads - only its rebadged VWs.

Commenter

canberran

Location

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 10:45AM

lol.

That's right Porsche Germany, aren't in the business of selling cars.Sounds like a lot of whinging to me.

Commenter

Timothy

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 11:44AM

33% "luxury" car tax sure doesn't help!

Commenter

bigfoot

Location

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 12:07PM

Yawn...... Yet another "But it only costs $XX dollars in the US" whinge. Yeah, and how much does the equivalent "professional" in the US earn compared to you? Yes, prices here are high, but so are wages relative to most of the planet, particularly the US.

Commenter

Boooring

Location

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 12:42PM

@canberran, dam get me a job doing what you do, what you must earn $300k+ a year to have a car budget of 100k?

Commenter

greco

Location

mel

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 1:15PM

Here we go again...What we pay locally is irrelevant to other countries and markets.

There are other complexities at play here also. You can't just go about wholesale changes to a pricing structure of one type of car or one manufacturer. For example, Porsche couldn't make a Cayman $80k because it would then be priced alongside much more inferior cars which would in turn throw the entire market out of kilter.

This would never happen anyway because the prices we pay as consumers in Australia dictates the market. Put plainly... because we pay these prices, the market continues to be priced accordingly.

It is frustrating as I for one would love a new 991 Carrera S, but by the same token, I don't was to see the exclusivity of these beautiful cars diminished.

Commenter

Euro

Location

Sydney

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 1:33PM

+1 @canberaan, I was in a similar position, 30yo who makes some decent money, had about a $80k budget which would have suffice on the USA, but fat chance here so I didnt eve bother to strech myself, went for something else

-1 @Euro, "couldn't make a Cayman $80k" yes, they could if they wanted to (obviously before taxes)"would in turn throw the entire market out of kilter" and that would be bad for us drivers? dont think so. "prices we pay as consumers in Australia dictates the market" is a nice way to say they charge/fleece us as much they can get away with"I don't want to see the exclusivity ...diminished" exclusivity is a word used to stroke egos and empty wallets, I would be very happy if everyone had the chance to own the best car posible, I have enough self esteem not to care what somebody else is driving."It is frustrating as I for one would love a new 991" well, for all of the above you are not helping yourself thinking that way and reccomending no to do anything about it, even if it's only complaining.

Commenter

GeorgeSC

Location

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 3:37PM

@canberranLet me get this right, you have $110k to spend and you want it for 85k?Well I'll tell you it'll cost you double your $85k to get it on the road.